They admitted a string of charges relating to the December 2013 raid on the Carcroft Working Men’s Club, in Carcroft, near Doncaster.

The gang, from Worksop, scouted out the club the evening before they struck, Lady Justice Sharp told London’s Criminal Appeal Court.

They were acting on “inside information” about the location of the club’s safe, she added.

They knew the safe would be filled with cash because a party had recently taken place there.

The club’s proprietor and his partner were asleep when the trio stormed in, said the judge.

Goudercourt clamped a screwdriver to the woman’s neck to reinforce their threats for cash.

An imitation double-barrelled shotgun was carried by McMillan, while Marvell bore a spade to further terrorise their victims.

The raiders finally fled with over £29,000 in cash, the court heard, leaving the couple deeply traumatised.

McMillan, of Netherton Road, Worksop, was jailed for 12 years, with a four-year extended licence period, after he admitted robbery and having an imitation firearm.

Marvell, of Vicars Walk, Worksop, received a 14-year jail term, with a two-year extended licence, and Goudercourt, of no known address, got 10 years. All three appealed their sentences, claiming they were far too tough.

Lady Justice Sharp, sitting with Mrs Justice Nicola Davies and Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, said the gang had subjected their victims to a horrific ordeal.